The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 And bring the ablest magicians to you." 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said, 'Yes indeed; and you shall then be among the near-stationed.' 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 (Pharaoh) said: Ye put your faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he doubtless is your chief who taught you magic! But verily ye shall come to know. Verily I will cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and verily I will crucify you every one. 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51